Stop the ICE Detention Facility in Surprise

The federal government just purchased a massive warehouse in our community to build a 1,500-bed detention center. The City of Surprise was never consulted. Our families, our schools, and our neighborhoods deserve a voice.

1,500Detention Beds Planned

$70MPaid in Cash

0Community Input

Take Action Now Contact Officials

What We Know

The facts about the proposed ICE facility in our community

Location

13290 W Sweetwater Avenue

Building Size

418,400 sq ft on 24 acres

Purchase Price

$70,000,000 (cash)

Purchase Date

January 23, 2026

Planned Capacity

1,500 beds

City Notification
NONE - Not Consulted

Nearby Sensitive Locations

🏫

Legacy Traditional School

On the SAME STREET — 14506 W Sweetwater Ave. K-8 school with 1,868 students just blocks away.

🏘️

Marley Park Community

5,000+ residents with an average age of 36. Young families with children who chose this area for its safety and schools.

🏡

Copper Canyon Ranch

2,830 residents in a quiet, gated community known for being family-friendly, peaceful, and safe.

Sources: KJZZ, AZFamily, 12News

Take Action Now

Here's what you can do right now to make your voice heard

Contact Mayor Sartor Today

Send a letter demanding the city formally oppose this facility. Use our template below.

Email: Contact form on city website
Mail: City of Surprise, Mayor's Office, 16000 N. Civic Center Plaza, Surprise, AZ 85374

Speak at the February 4 Council Meeting

Submit form at: surpriseaz.portal.civicclerk.com
Meeting starts at 6:00 PM

Spread the Word

Share this page with neighbors, post on Nextdoor, and organize community meetings.

Talk to neighbors in Marley Park and Copper Canyon Ranch
Contact your HOA leadership
Share on social media with #NoICEinSurprise

Contact State & Federal Representatives

Demand oversight, hearings, and action from elected officials at all levels.

State Senator Janae Shamp (District 29)
U.S. Senator Mark Kelly
U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego

What Happens to Communities with ICE Facilities

Documented impacts from other cities — with sources

📍 Minneapolis, MN — January 2026

Police worked 3,000+ hours overtime in 4 days — cost: $2-3 million to taxpayers
Businesses reported 50-80% revenue decreases
Schools forced into lockdown to protect students
State and cities filed federal lawsuit citing "chaos" and constitutional violations

Sources: City of Minneapolis, CBS Minnesota, MN Attorney General

✅ Oklahoma City — January 2026 (SUCCESS)

Proposed 1,500-bed facility CANCELLED after community opposition
Hours of public testimony at city council meeting
Property owners withdrew after pressure from residents
Mayor Holt: "I commend the owners for their decision"

Sources: KOCO News, KGOU (NPR), News9

📍 Hanover County, VA — January 2026

Board of Supervisors formally opposed ICE facility
Estimated $1+ million annual reduction in tax revenue
"Unplanned demands on public services, including public safety"
Property owner withdrew from sale after community opposition

Sources: WVTF (NPR), NBC12, CBS6 Richmond

⚠️ Eloy, AZ — Arizona's Existing ICE Facility

Called "deadliest immigration detention center in the U.S." by Rep. Raúl Grijalva
16+ deaths including 5 suicides since opening
9% of ALL detention facility deaths nationwide (just 1 of 250+ facilities)
53 complaints filed in 2 years for medical neglect, abuse, excessive segregation

Sources: Detention Watch Network, Wikipedia, NPR

Contact Your Representatives

Make your voice heard at every level of government

🏛️ City of Surprise

Mayor Kevin Sartor

Primary target — took office January 2026

Contact Form →

City Council

Request formal opposition resolution

Council Info →

🏛️ Arizona State Legislature

Senator Janae Shamp (R)

State Senate District 29

Rep. Steve Montenegro (R)

State House District 29

Rep. Austin Smith (R)

State House District 29

Find Your Legislator →

🏛️ U.S. Congress

Senator Mark Kelly (D)

Contact →

Senator Ruben Gallego (D)

Strong on immigration — newly elected

Contact →

Rep. Paul Gosar (R)

AZ-9 Congressional District

Contact →

Letter Template

Copy this template and send it to Mayor Sartor and City Council

Subject: Demand City Opposition to ICE Detention Facility at Sweetwater Ave

Mayor Sartor and Surprise City Council,

I am a resident of Surprise writing to express my strong opposition to the Department of Homeland Security's plan to convert the recently purchased warehouse at 13290 W Sweetwater Avenue into a 1,500-bed ICE detention facility.

According to news reports, the City of Surprise was not contacted by DHS or any other federal agency before this purchase was made. This is unacceptable. Residents who will live near this facility — including families in Marley Park, Copper Canyon Ranch, and children attending Legacy Traditional School on the same street — deserve a voice in decisions that will fundamentally change our community.

I am calling on you to:

Formally oppose this facility in an official city resolution, as Hanover County, Virginia did this week
Demand answers from DHS about infrastructure impact, emergency services demands, and operational plans
Commission an impact study on property values, traffic, and public safety costs
Engage our state and federal representatives to seek alternative sites or halt this project
Hold a public hearing where residents can voice their concerns

During your campaign, you promised that "every citizen's voice is heard, respected, and protected." This is that moment. Our community was not consulted. We are consulting you now.

Please take action.

[Your name, address, phone, email]